Jonathan Swift

A Pastoral Dialogue

DERMOT, SHEELAH

A Nymph and swain, Sheelah and Dermot hight;Who wont to weed the court of Gosford knight;While each with stubbed knife removed the roots,That raised between the stones their daily shoots;As at their work they sate in counterview,With mutual beauty smit, their passion grew.Sing, heavenly Muse, in sweetly flowing strain,The soft endearments of the nymph and swain.

DERMOT

My love to Sheelah is more firmly fixt,Than strongest weeds that grow those stones betwixt;My spud these nettles from the stones can part;No knife so keen to weed thee from my heart.